Fortbrand Services LLC offers a solution for airports looking for a Class VI Snow Blower that meets Buy American provisions.
The Vammas B750 Airport Snow Blower is a high-speed and high-capacity airport snow blower designed to remove piles and windrows of snow from Aircraft Operating Areas including runways, taxiways and ramps. The unit can remove snow at a rate of 7,500 tons per hour while operating at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, reducing occupancy time on runway and airfield surfaces by snow removal crews.
“Airports are very familiar with the operations and servicing of this type of equipment," said Carlton Braley, senior vice president of sales for Fortbrand Services. "This vehicle was designed for the simplicity for operators and mechanics. Basic training is provided during the delivery and commissioning of each unit.”
The Vammas B750 horsepower and torque comes by utilizing three identical standard and conventional engines instead of specialty engines that are not readily available or are difficult to service. This unit is manufactured in the U.S., provides sufficient capabilities to meet the Class VI specifications and at a very reduced cost due to the three-engine configuration.
“All airports that receive greater than 6-inches of snow annually would benefit from this equipment,” said Andrew Perrone, vice president of airfield maintenance equipment for Fortbrand Services. “Airports utilizing AIP funding would most appreciate that this equipment is tested and certified to meet the performance specifications along with meeting the Buy American provisions. Airports with limited occupancy times on their runways and airfield surfaces would benefit from the performance capabilities of clearing two miles of runways in less than 10-minutes.”
Airports looking at new snowblowers should consider if they’re meeting the expectations of both FAA and the operating airlines during winter operations and if crews are responding to each winter weather event as “expeditiously as possible” until a runway surface condition of “no worse than wet” is attained.
Every airport that receives snow needs at least one snow blower. To calculate the number and capacity of these blowers Braley said the airport must ask several questions including air service business at the airport during winter weather events; the number of aircraft operations during peak periods of each day; when are the most restricted occupancy times during most events; and what is the anticipated snow fall accumulations between occupancy times.
“They should ask each vendor to certify the performance and capacity of their equipment to ensure they are receiving what they are paying for,” Perrone said. “They should ask if the equipment meets all provisions listed within the AIP Guidelines allowing the airport to utilize AIP Funds. The airport should ask for references from other airports who own and operate like equipment from same vendor. What type of operating and maintenance service is provided by the vendor? What are the parts support network?”
